Material moving device



1944- R. FERWERDA ET AL MATERIAL MOVING DEVICE Filed Aug. 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS: RAY FERWERDA Koop f-en WEROA ATTORNEYS.

MATERIAL MO v1: DEVICE Filed Aug. 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTORS. RAY Fa? WEHOA ffoo FER wE/mA ATTORNEYS.

y 35, 1944- R. FERWERDA ET AL 2,348,795

MATERIAL MOVING DEVICE Filed Aug. 19, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. RAY FER ave-non BY Koop FERWERDA ATToRNEYi various types of excavations.

Patented May 16, 1944 7 Ray Ferwerda, Garrettsville',-a.nd

I --Mapte -Heights,uhio..

' n amaria seso olain s. (01.:37-143) rm; tilefiaooompilsiimentj of the easement This invention asindicated, relates to a material movingj device. More .particularly, .it comprisesa machine adaptedf to perform ayariety of operations which include the displacement or v f mater'ial; and especially in relation tothe shaping of earth surfaces in connection withthe construc- .tion of roadways and embankments, the diggin of, ditches and the making of excavations of varioustypes.; .The. inventionalso, has ,in view the construction of. a se lf--contained military. unit .adapted to jembodyanumber of features found'in tanknconstructions of conventional design and "also tocombine therewith means adapted to provide a degree of protection and partial or total 1 concealment for themilitary unit.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved typeof material moving device of sturdy construction and high efliciency.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus adapted for earth working of various types, including the shaping of earth surfaces in connection with roadways, embankments and Another object of the invention is to provide a self-contained military unit carrying ordnance,

and also carrying an earth working unit adapted to provide a depression or an elevation for the suitable positioning of such military unit for more. effective service.

Another object of the invent on is to provide an earth working unit having an operative element adapted to be positioned throughout a wide variety of operative angles and supporting in op.- erative relation to the work various type of earth work ng and earth modifying implements.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to operate from; a sta tionary platform or from a mobile vehicle platform through a wide range of action, and with an increased degree .of eflectiveness over devices at present available for like purposes.

Another object of the invention is to provide an earth working apparatus operated chiefly by hydraulic units of high capacity and adapted to operate over relatively large .areas under heavy duty conditions.

' the principle of related: ends, said inventiQnQthen; consists. ofilthe la'rly pointed out fin tne claims, 1 the annexed r w n a d the ll wl descr on S ttin forth in detail certain mechanism embodyingth'e invention, such '--disclo sed' meansponstituting, however; but seveijal 'or various form s in which he invention maybe used.

f ,In said anne'xeddrawings: I l Fig. l is'atop plan view of one type'of material moving apparatus embodying the principles of the invention; v

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the structure shown in'Fi .1;" 1 Fig. 3i'sa fragmentary view partly in section taken along the line 3-3 shown in Fig. 1 looking 'inthe direction of the arrows? shown in Fig. 11.

Another object of the invention is to provide an earth working unit hydraulically operated and adapted to be associated with other supporting and positioning elements whereby said hydraulic unit may operate under high duty conditions to modify adjacent earth surfaces at low cost and with high efficiency.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view ofthe structure shown in Figs. 1 and'2. as seen along the line 44 in Fig. 2 looking in the direction ofthe Fig. 5 is a front view of the earth workingblade with its adjusting members;

- Fig. 6 is a side elevation or the structure 'shown' in section, of the structure shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10' is adetailed'view taken along the line Ill-l0 shown in Fig. 9, showing the frame positioning mechanism;

' Fig. 11 is a plan view of a combined military unit and earth moving device as supportedonan armored tank; and

Fig. 12 is' a side extension elevation oii-the 1 structure As is clearly shown in Figs. 1 'toB, inclusive, the apparatus comprises a platform I upon which .i mo'unted a turn-table 2 movableto any desired angular horizontal position by means of aracl; 3', and-worm wheel 4 operated byfa hydraulic'mo tor 5. The turn-table carries a supporting trame 6 provided with pivots T for a main-frame 8 having a rearward cross-bar 9 uponwhich a counterweight may besupported. At the forward endof the main framea pair of guide sleeves I l are provided within which are engaged tubular slide members l2 of an' ex tension frame having a cross- Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly I head l3. The tubular slide members 12 have telescopically engaged therein exten ion frame members 44 having terminals l5 pivotally connected with the sliding sleeves l6 engaging a bar I1 supported in a bracket l8 which may be secured to the blade I9 in a variety of positions through the use of bolts 2| engaged through various apertures 22 adjacent each of the blade ends, respectively. Supporting arms 23 are secured to the respective ends of the blade by means of bolts 24, and pivoted straps 25 having slotted ends 26 with securing bolts 21 are connected with said arms to permit a range of adjustment corresponding to the range of adjustment provided for the blade through the series of holes 22 heretofore referred to. It is obvious that tilting, as well a laterally positioning of the blade, is provided for by the adjustment referred to. By means of a sleeve 28, shown in Fig. 6, engaged over one of the extension members l4 formed in sections to permit sliding adjustment within the sleeve a variation in the angular position of the blade may be obtained through the use of the set screws 28, 88. Through the mechanism just described, the blade, preliminary to operation on any particular surface, may be adjusted to a suitable angle of contact with such surface so as to bring about a predetermined displacement of earth at such point.

The means for operating the tubular slide member 12 and the blade member supported thereon may take various forms, but as shown, comprises a hydraulic cylinder 3| supported on a cross-bar 32 by means of trunnions 33 engaging suitable apertures in a pair of spaced angle plates 34. The piston rod 35 is pivotally connected to' the cross-head l3 by means of a'pin 36." The hydraulic cylinder is supplied with hydraulic pressure by means of a conduit 31 communicating with one end thereof and a conduit 38 connected with the opposite end thereof, each controlled by a valve mechanism 89 mounted on said supporting frame 8. The hydraulic mechanism just described provides means for reciprocating the blade within the guide sleeves I I at whatever angle of adjustment such guide sleeves are held at through the angular adjustment of the main frame 8 heretofore described. The adjustment of the main frame on its pivots 1 is accomplished by means of an extension arm 4| mounted on a 1 pivot 42 adjacent the upper portion of the sup porting frame and actuated by means of a short extension arm 43 having a plurality of apertures 34 for connection with the terminal member 45 on the piston member 46 of a hydraulic cylinder 41 having pivots 48 at its rearward end engaged th an extension arm member 49 at the upper end of the supporting frame. By means of conduits Si, 52, connected with the respective ends of the cylinder 41 hydraulic pressure may be admitted at either end of the cylinder by means of the valve mechanism 53 mounted at the upper end of the supporting frame.

The source of hydraulic power for the hydraulic cylinder above described may be of any conventional type, that illustrated comprising a gas engine 54 driving a pump unit 55 and an auxiliary pump unit 58 connected with a reservoir 51 and having pressure lines 58, 59, connected with the valve control mechanisms 39 and 53 hereinabove referred to. Such pressure lines also extend to the hydraulic motor 4, heretofore described, having conventional valve mechanism ioglcontrolling the angular position of t e tu n- From what has been above stated it will be noted that the hydraulic cylinder 41 may be operated to raise the supporting arm 4! and through its associated link 8| connected thereto by pivot pin 82 and connected at its free end by means of a pivot pin 63 with an extension support 84 and brace 65 secured to the main frame 8 and crossbar 32, respectively. When the desired height of adjustment of the main frame is provided for the blade is reciprocated to the extent desired by means of the hydraulic cylinder 3| and its associated mechanism. Through the control of each of the valve units 39 and 53 composite movement of the blade may be brought about.

The adjustment of the blade to various angles, as well as the substitution for the blade illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 of various types of material moving implements, such as shovels, scoops, rakes and rollers, tongs, and other implements, may be readily arranged for by supporting such specialized implements on the brackets i8, heretofore described.

In order to provide for an adjustment of various angular positions of the working cylinder and associated mechanism for operating the blade, the apparatus may embody means for carrying such mechanism in pivoted relation to the main frame. A construction of this character is illustrated in Figs. 8 to 10, inclusive, and comprises a main frame H pivotally mounted on the supporting frame 6 by means of pivots 12 and adjusted on such pivots by means of a cylinder 13 and associated mechanism, including the pivoted arm 14 and arch support 15 connecting said arm with an extension bracket 16 secured to the lower end of the main frame. At the lower end of the main frame pivots 18 are provided upon which the sleeves 8! are pivotally supported, such sleeves being connected by a cross-frame member 82 having a bracket arm 83 with a pivot pin 84 connecting the same to a terminal 85 on the end of a piston 88 of an angle adjusting cylinder 81. The cylinder 81 may have hydraulic conduits 88, 89, connected thereto and separately controlled by means of a valve mechanism connected with a source of hydraulic power similar to the valve mechanism 39 and 53, heretofore described, and

carried at the upper end of the supporting frame I 6. By means of the mechanism just described the main frame may be tilted to various angular positions about the pivot 12, and the adjustment between the mechanism carried by the sleeves 8| to a secondary angular position may be brought about through control of the hydraulic cylinder 81 and its associated mechanism. The hydraulic cylinder 81, it will be noted, as shown more particularly in Fig. 10, is pivotally supported at its upper end within the arch support 15 by means of a pivot pin 9|.

In order to provide for a greater length of stroke for the operating blade without unduly elongating the operating cylinder, a telescopic extension frame may be provided. Such frame may comprise a cross-head 92 having tubular slide members 93 engaged within the tubular slide members 94 sliding within the sleeves 8|, and having a cross-head 95 connected with the piston 96 of the operating cylinder 91, similar to such mechanism heretofore described in connection with Figs. l-to 4, inclusive. By reference to Fig.

9, it will be noted, that an additional operating cylinder llli is positioned beneath the cylinder 91 and has conduits I02, I03, connected with the respective ends thereof whereby hydraulic pressure may be supplied thereto, and valve control mechanism similar to the valve control mechanism 39 and 53 heretofore described and mounted at the upper end of the supporting frame 6. This cylindermay be operated simultaneously with the cylinder 91, or in successive manner in connection with said cylinder, as may be desired, and the stroke of the blade will be approximately twice the length of the stroke which could be supplied by a single cylinder. The cylinder IOI carries a .piston rod I04 connected by means of a pivot -pin I05 with the cross-head 92, heretofore described. The cylinder IIJI is mounted on a cross-frame member I06 carried adjacent the forward ends of the tubular slide members 94 operating within the sleeve 8|.

With the mechanism just described any desired angle about the pivot I2 may be pi'bvided for through the operation of the cylinder I3 and its associated mechanism, and thereafter additional adjustment of the angle of the working stroke may be provided through the operation of the cylinder 81 and its associated mechanism. Theree after the reciprocating stroke of the blade, or other implement which it is desired to operate with, is brought about through control of the cylinders 91 and II and their associated mechanism, either simultaneously or successively, as desired. This control may be accompanied by supplementary control through either the cylin der I3 or the cylinder 81 at the same time, and thus practically any desired contour of the surface operated on can be brought about with a minimum of effort and with a satisfactory finished effect. The mounting of the blade mechanism in the modified form of construction just described may be identical with that just described in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, and the same reference characters have been applied to said members.

In order to meet the requirements of modern mechanized warfare wherein large numbers of tank units are employed and wherein defense operations involving the digging of ditches and p'ts into which tanks will be entrapped are extensively employed, it is desirable to provide suitable means on such tank units to prevent loss cf such apparatus through such defense practice. In order to meet such conditions a tank unit may be provided with a combined excavating and military unit which will permit a tank to provide a path for escape from a ditch when such procedure main frame members and support guidesleeves I25 through which tubular slide. members I25 are operatively engaged, such slide members being connected with a yoke I21. A cross-bar I28 secured to said slide members supports an auxiliary operating piston I29 corresponding in action with the auxiliary cylinder II'II, heretofore described. The guide sleeves I25 are connected by cross frame member I3I having a pivot mem- I ber I32 connected with the piston I33 of a positioning cylinder I34 pivotally mounted at the free end of the arch support I23 on a pivot pin I35. The tubular slide members I26 have engaged therein auxiliary slide members I36 connected by means of a cross-member I3'I to provide a support for a standard I38 upon which is adjustably -mounted a piece of ordnance I39 adapted to be held above the upper portion of the tank in a position to fire over an embankment.

I4I connected with a pinl42 [which moves the auxiliary cross-head I43 forward when such auxiliary cylinder is actuated. The implement I carried at the front end of the apparatus is in dicated as having a horizontal extension so that the device may be used as a shovel when so mounted, and may be used as a scraping blade when reversed to present the shovel portion in dotted line position. Thus the tank may provide a point of defense by pushing the earth away from the tank, or by scraping earth toward the apparais called for, and which at the same time will be able to provide a place of partial concealment to remove the main body portion of the tank from danger or injury from enemy projectiles. Such excavating mechanism is of a heavy construction and may readily carry any suitable pieces of ordnance found desirable for operation from the point of concealment. Thus such ordnance will have in effect the advantages of gun's carried on disappearing mounts, such as are commonly used in coastal fortifications.

To accomplish the object just mentioned the structure is preferably mounted on a turret III -tus, or by means of a shoveling operation.

Where a tank builds an entrenchment the earth obtained from the digging may be turned up as an embankment I45, as shown in Figure 12,. The operation of the device will be readily understood from what has been stated with reference to other modified forms of this apparatus. It is to be understood that where desired the mechanism may very closel approach the tank body in order to permit protected operation of the units carried by the framework.

other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. An apparatus of the character, described having in combination a platform, a rotatable support on said platform, an outwardly projecting unit providing a guide portion and having an extension member pivotally mounted on said support, a material moving blade supported for adjustment about a transverse axis on said extension member, adjustable means acting between the support and the guide portion of said uni whereby said material moving blade is supported for sliding movement at a predetermined angle to the surface to be operated on, means for holding said blade in adjusted relation to the extension member, and means for moving said extension member and associated material moving blade along said path of sliding movement.

2. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a platform, a rotatable support on said platform, an outwardly projecting unit providing a guide portion and having multiple extension members pivotally mounted on said support, a material moving blade supported for adjustment about a transverse axis on said extension members, adjustable means acting between the support and the guide portion The auxiliary cylinder I29 is provided with a piston rod material moving blade along said path of sliding movement.

3. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a platform, a support mounted on said platform, means for rotating said support acting between said support and said platform, an outwardly projecting unit pro viding a guid portion and having an extension member pivotally mounted on said support, a material moving blade supported for adjustment about a transverse axis on said extension member, adjustable means acting between the support and the guide portion of. said unit whereby said material moving blade is supportedfor sliding movement ata predetermined angle to the surface to be operated on, means for holding said blade in adjusted relation to the extension member, and means for moving said extension member and associated material moving blade along said path of sliding movement.

4. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a platform, a rotatable support on said platform, an outwardly projecting unit comprising a frame having parallel side rails pivotally carriechby said support, an extension member mounted for sliding movement on said side rails, hydraulic means for actuating said extension member, a material moving blade carried on said extension member, adjustable means whereby said material moving blade is supported for sliding movement at a predetermined transverse angle around the axis of the extension member and for angular variation in relation to the extension member, and means acting between said support and said frame for changing the angular position of said frame and said extension member with reference to said platform.

5. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a platform, a rotatable support on said platform, an outwardly projecting unit comprising a frame having a slideway pivotally carried by said support, an extension member mounted for sliding movement on said slideway, means for actuating said extension member, a material moving blade carried on said extension member, adjustable means whereby said material moving blade is supported for sliding movement at a predetermined transverse angle around the axis of the extension member and for angular variation in relation to the extension member, and hydraulic means acting between said siipport and said frame for changing the angular position of said frame and said extension member'with reference to said platform.

6. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a platform, a rotatable support on said platform, an outwardly projecting unit comprising a frame having a slideway pivotally carried by said support, an extension member mounted for sliding movement on said slideway, hydraulic means for actuating said extension member, a material moving blade carried on said extension member, adjustable means whereby said material moving blade is supported for sliding movement at a predetermined transverse angle around the axis of the extension member and for angular variation in relation to the extension member, and hydraulic means acting between said support and said frame for changing the angular position of said frame and said extension member with reference to said platform.

7. An apparatus of the. character described having in combination a platform, a support pivotally mounted-on said platform, hydraulic means for rotating said 'supportsacting betweensaid support and said platformand operative through an angle of not less than 180? of circular movement around its pivot, an. outwardly projecting unit comprising a framehaving a slideway pivotally carried by said support, an extensionmember mounted for sliding movement 1 onsaid slideway, .hydraulic means vfor actuating said extension member, a material-moving blade carried on said extension member, adjustable meanswhereby said material moving blade ,is supported for sliding movement'at a predeterminedtransverse angle around the axis of the extension member and for angular variation in relation to thee):- tension member, and hydraulic means acting between said support and said frame for changing the angular position of said frame and said extension member with reference to said platform.

8. An apparatus of the character described having in combination a platform, a rotatable support on said platform, an outwardly projecting unit providing a guide portion and having at least one extension member pivotally mounted on said support, a material moving blade supported for adjustment about a transverse axis on said extension member, means acting between the support and the guide portion of said unit whereby said material moving blade is supported least one pair of extension members pivotally mounted on said support, a material moving blade supported for adjustment about a transverse axis on said extension members, means acting between the support and the guide portion of said unit whereby said material moving blade is supported for sliding movement at a predeter-' mined angle to the surface to be operated" on,

means for holding said blade in adjusted relation to the extension member, and means for moving said extension members and associated-material moving blade along said path of sliding movement.

RAY FERW'ERDA. KOOP FERWERDA. 

